The Horse takes a big chance and learns from the experience

@TheHorse (238355)
Walnut Creek, California
April 2, 2017 1:54pm CST
A week or two ago I mentioned that I was going to try and remove the gunk from the back of my 1914 Gibson A-4 mandolin. I had procured some auto scratch remover, but was nervous about using it on a vintage instrument. I took my time, and things turned out OK. I was able to get some of the haze off of the back without substantially changing the overall "patina" of the instrument, which is important to maintaining its value. I also learned that I may prefer my friend's "Old Number 7" scratch remover to the stuff that I bought. With mine, you let it dry before wiping it off. With his, you wipe it off wet, and it leaves a less distinct "line" between where you've used it and haven't used it. I'll attach a picture of the back of the mandolin when I breathed a sigh of relief and officially called it "done."
16 people like this
13 responses
Alfredo Rossi
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
2 Apr 17
Looks good to me there
2 people like this
Alfredo Rossi
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
3 Apr 17
The Horse
@TheHorse (238355)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Apr 17
Thanks, Alfredo. I think I'm done "messing" with it.
Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (24028)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 17
You have done a superb job it looks beautiful.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238355)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Apr 17
Thanks! I am glad this little project is done. I feel more comfortable (when it comes to restoration) around speakers than musical instruments.
snowy
@snowy22315 (209132)
• United States
2 Apr 17
It sounds like you can breathe a sigh of relief now!
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238355)
• Walnut Creek, California
2 Apr 17
Exactly! I may get some of that stuff my friend has. I'll use the rest of my stuff (shown) on my car! We did just a bit of tweaking with his wet-wipe stuff.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (502729)
• Italy
3 Apr 17
It seems to me that you did a great job, it looks like new.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (502729)
• Italy
4 Apr 17
@TheHorse Oh goodness, I can imagine how much your heart bled seeing the scene. Do not bring it anymore to the preschool.
The Horse
@TheHorse (238355)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Apr 17
Thanks! The poor thing got dragged across a floor by a 4-year-old at the preschool who opened the case when I wasn't looking. Needless to say, that particular instrument is not going back to the preschool.
1 person likes this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (54730)
• United States
2 Apr 17
Glad that no harm was done
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238355)
• Walnut Creek, California
2 Apr 17
Me too. It was a bit scary. But it turned out well.
1 person likes this
Boingboing
@boiboing (13147)
• Northampton, England
2 Apr 17
It looks great.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238355)
• Walnut Creek, California
2 Apr 17
Thanks! I'm glad to be done with that little project. Back to coasters for now. Less stressful.
1 person likes this
celticeagle
@celticeagle (189957)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Apr 17
It turned out very nice looking. I don't see any of the smokie-ness at all.
1 person likes this
celticeagle
@celticeagle (189957)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Apr 17
@TheHorse .......That's certainly true.
The Horse
@TheHorse (238355)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Apr 17
It really did turn out well. From certain angles you can see some scratches. But I'd have some scratches too if I'd been around for 103 years.
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (86829)
• United States
3 Apr 17
You did your finish and you finished your finish, but you said it was "done" instead of finished? Congratulations. I'm glad things turned out well for the instrument.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238355)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Apr 17
Heh. *I* was "done." The instrument is..."polished."
1 person likes this
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
3 Apr 17
I think it looks fine, or at least I cant see anything in that photo
pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
2 Apr 17
It's come up a treat, has that mandolin! Worth the effort, but not the ulcer.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238355)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Apr 17
Oh, I'm OK. A challenge or two here and there is good for a person. But I'm sticking with coasters for a few days.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382430)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Apr 17
That's a beautiful colour. It looks to have a nice grain to it too.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238355)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Apr 17
It does. I thought, based on some research that I did, that it was maple. But I'm going to have to go back to the drawing board. Now I think it may be birch.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382430)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Apr 17
@TheHorse I guess there is a variety of woods which can be used for instruments.
paigea
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
2 Apr 17
It looks great already!
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238355)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Apr 17
I have to stop looking for little imperfections now. It's done, darn it!
1 person likes this
paigea
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
3 Apr 17
@TheHorse It does look done!
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
3 Apr 17
That looks good. Glad to see there was no damage.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238355)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Apr 17
I was relieved to be able to remove some yuck without damaging the original patina.
1 person likes this